Garcia hails McIlroy

Golf / 14 November 2012, 1:57pm

SAPA

HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland in action during Pro-Am of the UBS Hong Kong Open at The Hong Kong Golf Club on November 14, 2012 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Kuala Lumpur – World number one Rory McIlroy could prove to be one of the best players of all time, his Ryder Cup team-mate Sergio Garcia said on Wednesday, hailing the Northern Irishman's all-round game.

“Obviously he's a great player. He has the whole package and he's a nice guy, we get on well,” said the Spaniard, 32, who has won eight times on the US PGA Tour and 10 times in Europe.

“He hits the ball far and quite straight for the distance. His ground play is good, his chipping and putting is solid. That's why he's number one in the world and that's why he's won what he's won.

“He's going to win many, many more tournaments and definitely he'll be within the best in history,” added Garcia, speaking on the telephone from Spain, ahead of the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia next month.

McIlroy, 23, has topped the money lists in both the US and Europe this season, and won his second career Major.

He tees off at the UBS Hong Kong Open on Thursday, where he is the defending champion. – Sapa-AFP